PKR turned up the pressure on Umno-owned Utusan Malaysia today in calling for the Malay-language daily to be investigated under Section 298A of the Penal Code.

Section 298A prohibits the publishing of words that cause disharmony, disunity, or feelings of enmity, hatred or ill-will; or prejudices the maintenance of harmony or unity, on grounds of religion between persons or groups of persons.

utusan malaysia kritsian agama rasmi Utusan Malaysia's ‘Malaysia, a Christian state' front page report last week which alleged a Christian attempt to replace Islam as the religion of Malaysia, drew their ire.

PKR, in a press statement released by its vice presidents Nurul Izzah Anwar and N. Surendran, said the Utusan report was based on nothing more than postings by two obscure pro-Umno bloggers and was completely false.

"This widely publicised false accusation became a national issue and had the potential to cause racial and religious disunity and disharmony.

"It should be noted that Utusan Malaysia has had a long and disgraceful history of publishing untrue and inflammatory news stories and opinions calculated to cause tension and disharmony.

"Despite the serious and criminal nature of these news reports and articles, no action has been taken against Utusan Malaysia by the authorities."

The statement added that numerous police reports had been lodged calling for action according to the law against Utusan and the writers and editors responsible, but have been disregarded.

It also said that Utusan enjoys immunity from prosecution because it is owned by the ruling party, Umno and acts as the party's mouthpiece and thus had been let off with a weak and perfunctory warning by the Home Ministry.

"PKR's stand is that Utusan Malaysia has committed a crime and the criminal justice process of the country must be allowed to take its course," the statement added.